Andy Carroll is set to give West Ham manager Sam Allardyce an early Christmas present by returning to action next month.

The £15million striker has been absent all season, plagued by a succession of injuries.

Carroll has been sent to Amercia and Belgium in a bid to regain fitness after he damaged an ankle during pre-season.

He suffered a setback after returning to training but intensive treatment looks ready to pay off.

The 24-year-old has pencilled in a comeback against Sunderland at Upton Park on December 14 in the Premier League for his first appearance of the season, but may have to wait a week after that.

Allardyce will be looking to re-inforce his squad in January and may make a move for former Fulham and Tottenham striker Clint Dempsey, who is available on loan from Seattle Sounders during the MLS close season.

Longer-term, Allardyce could move for Finnish star Tim Vayrynen, 20.

He is out of contract in a year and it would take only £500,000 to sign him from his club FC Honka.